Hand Aesthetics

HAND REJUVENATION

INTRODUCTION

Because our hands receive so much exposure, it is one of the first places to start showing visible signs of aging. Natural aging, and exposure to sunlight, causes this appearance. The more common visible signs of aging include darkened spots (a.k.a. “age spots”) and precancerous growths. A loss of fatty tissue also occurs, making our hands look bony. Hand rejuvenation treatments can help restore the hands to a more youthful appearance. Various treatment options are available, so one treatment or a combination can be used to help achieve a look that patients desire.

With the increasing popularity of various cosmetic surgery procedures, including hand rejuvenation treatments, it is important that the prospective patient research and understand different issues like what the procedure can and cannot treat, inherent risks, costs, and other factors. Keep in mind, cosmetic surgery is just that – a surgical procedure whose results cannot simply be erased. While the information contained in this website will provide you with a good introduction to hand rejuvenation treatments, when considering this or any other cosmetic procedure, we recommend that you consult a qualified provider with significant experience. Some important elements you should understand regarding this procedure include the following:

INDICATIONS – IDEAL CANDIDATES

Those people looking to enhance the appearance of their hands would represent an ideal candidate for hand rejuvenation treatments. Although reasons vary from person to person, the more common include:

• Enhancing appearance and boosting self-confidence.
• Becoming less self-conscious about appearance.
• Achieving smoother looking skin.
• Regaining a more youthful look.

However, the prospective patient must also be aware that cosmetic surgery is designed for improvement, not perfection. Patients should have realistic goals and expectations for their hand rejuvenation treatment. Be sure to discuss your reasons for wanting to undergo this operation with the doctor during your consultation visit. This will also help determine your candidacy for the procedure.

CONSULTATION

During consultations, doctors can learn more about the patients and vice versa. This visit gives the doctor a chance to evaluate the current state of the patient’s skin and discuss options that will help the patient achieve a desired look. Consultation visits also give patients the opportunity to address their goals and expectations for their treatment and to ask any questions they might have. These visits also allow the doctors to inform the patient of the benefits, precautions, treatment response, adverse reactions, method of administration and other important information.

TYPES OF REJUVENATION TECHNIQUES

There are various types of hand rejuvenation treatments. All of these options possess their own set of risks, benefits, costs, and techniques. The more common include:

Chemical Peel: When these chemicals are applied to the skin, it causes age spots to disappear while tissue appears less transparent.

Sclerotherapy: When a sclerosing solution is injected into unsightly veins. This chemical solution irritates the veins, causing them to turn white and gradually disappear.

Microdermabrasion: This is a superficial skin polishing procedure that involves sanding off the first layer of skin with tiny crystals.

Laser Skin Resurfacing: Through short bursts of laser light, unsightly veins and dark “age” spots are gently removed the skin.

Injectable fillers (Fat, Collagen, Restylane, etc.) – When these fillers are injected into the hands they can plump up the skin and give it a more youthful appearance.

CASE: Before and after photos of aging hands injected with a combination of fat and fillers and subsequent laser resurfacing